For many breeders the thought of doubling up to Danehill can be problematic, particularly if it's close up in the pedigree, so for those seeking something diverse, but complimentary to bring some vigour to a family treading water the choices can be limited.
First season sires are always a popular option for commercial breeders and few fit the mould of being perfectly suited to Danehill line mares better than Newgate Farm's new recruit Eurozone.
An unbeaten two year-old and a brilliant Group II winner at three that was
narrowly beaten at weight-for-age in the Group I MRC CF Orr stakes at 1400
metres, Eurozone is a horse that ticks a lot of boxes as an elite son of
ill-fated Northern Meteor."Eurozone is the son of Northern Meteor we wanted," said Tony Williams of Newgate Farm.
"He is completely free of Danehill and has a pedigree that is tailor made to compliment Danehill mares. Furthermore his peak performance in the Group I Orr Stakes was rated by many form analysts as the peak performance ever, by any son of Northern Meteor."
Beaten a short half-head in the Orr Stakes to seasoned Group I campaigner Moment of Change, Eurozone finished a length and a half ahead of Cox Plate winner Shamus Award in third place.
If the short half head verdict had gone the other way, Eurozone would undoubtedly be standing for considerably more than the $13,750 he is priced at for this year.
A legitimate Group I horse, albeit without the win on the resume, Eurozone is
flying below the radar in terms of price, a fact not lost on astute breeders
that were happy to punt another good looking Group I place-getter in I Am
Invincible back in 2010.A Group III winner that chased Takeover Target home when second in the Group I SAJC Goodwood Handicap, I Am Invincible kicked off at a fee of $11,000 and will be crowned Champion First Season Sire of 2013/2014.
Credited as a Group II winner, Smart Missile is another example of a 'moral Group I winner' that has hit the mark with breeders.
The son of Fastnet Rock has covered over 380 mares in his first two seasons as breeders swoop on what they see as value in a competitive market.
On the pedigree front Eurozone presents as a match made in heaven for Danehill line mares.
His sire Northern Meteor has already shown an affinity for the Danehill line mares producing Group I winners Zoustar and Cosmic Endeavour as well as stakes-winner Atmospherical.
Northern Meteor has in fact thrown winners from mares by Danehill (6), Danzero (4), Commands (3), Flying Spur (3), Choisir (2), Redoute's Choice (2), Danehill Dancer (IRE) (2), Desert King (IRE) (1) and Not a Single Doubt (1).
Adding to the appeal of Eurozone is the fact his Group III winning dam Miss Vandal is by Don't Say Halo (USA), one of the first sons of influential sire Halo to come to our shores.
As the sire of breed shaping stallion Sunday Silence and grand-sire of champion sire More Than Ready (USA), the Halo influence is one felt all over the world and notably here in Australia where it has meshed particularly well with our broodmare population, many of course carrying the Danehill blood.
An Arion 5 x 5 nicking report looking for stakes-winners worldwide that carry Danehill and Halo reveals a list of 188 stakes-winners that covers the full spectrum of performers from Melbourne Cup hero Shocking to Golden Slipper winner Sebring and everything in between such as Helmet, More Joyous, Faint Perfume, Southern Speed and Miracles of Life.
At a fee of $13,750, Eurozone is proving a popular choice for breeders and is filling fast.
On the pedigree front Eurozone presents as a match made in heaven for Danehill line mares.
His sire Northern Meteor has already shown an affinity for the Danehill line mares producing Group I winners Zoustar and Cosmic Endeavour as well as stakes-winner Atmospherical.
Northern Meteor has in fact thrown winners from mares by Danehill (6), Danzero (4), Commands (3), Flying Spur (3), Choisir (2), Redoute's Choice (2), Danehill Dancer (IRE) (2), Desert King (IRE) (1) and Not a Single Doubt (1).
Adding to the appeal of Eurozone is the fact his Group III winning dam Miss Vandal is by Don't Say Halo (USA), one of the first sons of influential sire Halo to come to our shores.
As the sire of breed shaping stallion Sunday Silence and grand-sire of champion sire More Than Ready (USA), the Halo influence is one felt all over the world and notably here in Australia where it has meshed particularly well with our broodmare population, many of course carrying the Danehill blood.
An Arion 5 x 5 nicking report looking for stakes-winners worldwide that carry Danehill and Halo reveals a list of 188 stakes-winners that covers the full spectrum of performers from Melbourne Cup hero Shocking to Golden Slipper winner Sebring and everything in between such as Helmet, More Joyous, Faint Perfume, Southern Speed and Miracles of Life.
At a fee of $13,750, Eurozone is proving a popular choice for breeders and is filling fast.
